Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to insure nearly all Californians was rejected on January 28th by the state Senate Health Committee, citing that the state is facing a $14 billion budget shortfall and does not have the funds for a major health care initiative. Revenues are expected to be flat over the next budget year. Earlier this month, the Governor proposed a $101 billion general fund budget for 2008-2009, declaring a fiscal emergency.

INPUT's Take

Presently there are just too many pressing issues, such as the state's fiscal challenges, for a reform plan to be successful in 2008. However health care reform is too big to go away. There's a chance we could see a greater national momentum for health care reform after the presidential race, where candidates have proposed similar plans.